Political Gabfest

Where sharp political analysis meets informal and irreverent discussion.

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About the Show

Voted “Favorite Political Podcast” by Apple Podcasts listeners. Stephen Colbert says, “Everybody should listen to the Slate Political Gabfest.” The Gabfest is hosted by Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz. Listen for the debates, stay for the cocktail chatter.

Hosts

  • David Plotz is a host of the Slate Political Gabfest and the CEO of City Cast.

  • Emily Bazelon is a staff writer at the New York Times Magazine, the author of Charged and Sticks and Stones, and co-host of the Slate Political Gabfest.

  • John Dickerson is a CBS political analyst and correspondent, co-host of the Slate Political Gabfest, host of the Whistlestop podcast, and author of The Hardest Job in the World.

The “Is The Major Questions Doctrine Bogus?” Edition

The Supreme Court guts the EPA’s authority, takes a case with frightening implications for democratic elections, and strikes down more gun control laws.

The “Grab the Steering Wheel” Edition

The Gabfest is live from Sixth & I in D.C. discussing new insurrection revelations, the overturning of Roe, and the legitimacy of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Gabfest Reads: Corrections in Ink

Figure skating and felony in the same memoir.

The “SCOTUS Guts the Establishment Clause” Edition

The Supreme Court requires funding for religious schools, the Jan. 6 hearings, and dissension at progressive organizations.

The “Drunk as Rudy Guiliani” Edition

 The January 6th hearings, Jason Furman on the economy, and debates among providers of gender-affirming medical care.

The “Is San Francisco a Hellscape?” Edition

Tuesday’s primaries, the economy (is it as bad as we all think it is?), and Slow Burn: Roe v. Wade.

The “Forgive Me, Joe” Edition

The response to Uvalde, Biden’s plan for student loan forgiveness, and a bunch of ignored subpoenas.

Gabfest Reads: Coming of Age in the ’90s

Elif Bautman’s The Idiot sequel, Either/Or, looks back with a modern eye.

The “No Way to Prevent This” Edition

The Texas, Uvalde shooting, a bizarre social media bill, and what’s going on in China, Taiwan

The “More Fetterman!” Edition

The “replacement theory”-inspired massacre in Buffalo, Tuesday’s primaries, and the infant formula shortage.

The “Why Did White Evangelicals Get So Angry” Edition

Abortion in the U.S. post-Roe, Trump’s power over Republicans, and white evangelicals’ hard right turn.

The “End of Roe Is Nigh!” Edition

The leaked draft decision overturning Roe v. Wade, abortion politics after Roe falls, and J.D. Vance’s Senate primary win.

The “So Much Free Speech!” Edition

Elon Musk’s Twitter plans, school prayer at the Supreme Court, and post-pandemic asylum policy.

The “Farewell, Jocelyn!” Edition

Malcolm Turnbull on China & Ukraine; the mask mandate ruling; the RNC rejects presidential debates; and Gabfest producer Jocelyn Frank says goodbye.

Gabfest Reads: He Wanted to Die Holding Hands

Her husband’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis led Amy Bloom to support his dying wishes.

The “Double Bazelon” Edition

Approaching midterms, inflation, and whether social media is imperiling U.S. democracy—with guest Simon Bazelon.

The “Hey, Groomer” Edition

Russia’s war crimes, Disney’s reaction to “don’t say gay,” and Amazon’s first union.

The “Burner Phone” Edition

Biden speaks too honestly about Russia; Trump’s missing phone logs; and Ginni Thomas’ efforts to subvert the election.

The “Deep Sigh” Edition

Ketanji Brown Jackson’s confirmation hearing; Ukraine keeps fighting through atrocity; and more allegations of Republican candidates committing domestic abuse.

Gabfest Reads: Invisible Kingdom

How Meghan 0’Rourke became a detective of her own illness.